Seeking Nanoadvice... - Aquarium Advice

Phlegethon · 12-23-2004, 02:31 AM

Hello -

I have a 15 gallon tall nano-reef that is one month old. 20lbs live rook, 20lbs live sand. The only equipment is an Aquaclear500 filled with 4lbs of live rock rubble, a heater and a carbon insert. So far, so good. Cycle is finished, parameters are good, algae is under control. I have a small cleanup crew and no fish (2 percs eventually). I use "Reef Crystals" to mix new water and don't add anything else. I do a 10% water change every week. My question is, do I need a protein skimmer? And if so, which one would be a good one to get, bearing in mind that I do not want to totally replace my AC500?

12-23-2004, 09:05 AM

As long as you do regular water changes as a means of export, the skimmer is not necessary. You'll find the smaller the tank the more water changes will be the simplest solution for many things. The 10% weekly changes your doing now would be just fine but be very sure the media in the Aquaclear is cleaned out at least weekly and only rinsed in [acronym:57a97ebaba="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:57a97ebaba] not fresh.

Cheers
Steve

12-23-2004, 02:31 AM	#1
Phlegethon Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington Posts: 108 Images: 6	Seeking Nanoadvice... Hello - I have a 15 gallon tall nano-reef that is one month old. 20lbs live rook, 20lbs live sand. The only equipment is an Aquaclear500 filled with 4lbs of live rock rubble, a heater and a carbon insert. So far, so good. Cycle is finished, parameters are good, algae is under control. I have a small cleanup crew and no fish (2 percs eventually). I use "Reef Crystals" to mix new water and don't add anything else. I do a 10% water change every week. My question is, do I need a protein skimmer? And if so, which one would be a good one to get, bearing in mind that I do not want to totally replace my AC500?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Newbie seeking advice	rzerwas	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	6	09-30-2006 10:50 PM
It's been awhile. Seeking advice.	rickschabener	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	8	11-09-2005 12:16 PM
Seeking New Tank	Kerrinne	Southern States	1	01-03-2004 12:13 PM
Seeking Assistance	Kerrinne	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	23	11-14-2003 09:06 PM

12-23-2004, 09:05 AM	#2
steve-s Guest Posts: n/a	As long as you do regular water changes as a means of export, the skimmer is not necessary. You'll find the smaller the tank the more water changes will be the simplest solution for many things. The 10% weekly changes your doing now would be just fine but be very sure the media in the Aquaclear is cleaned out at least weekly and only rinsed in [acronym:57a97ebaba="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:57a97ebaba] not fresh. Cheers Steve